Console and PC games have a heavy focus on incredible visuals. You see the same thing in app stores right now as well. The mobile games world is becoming dominated by pixel art and 3D graphics, but there are also a number of terrific text-based games that are having quite an impact on mobile platforms. What they might lack in terms of sound effects and visuals, they make up for and then some with the tough decisions that your characters need to make and gripping story lines. We really love these games and are very happy to introduce you to games that have excellent writing. The following are our top favorites.

1. A Dark Room

This is an odd game that is difficult to put into a specific category. It is a science fiction text-based role plying game involving exploration in just text.
The whole map is made of up of a series of characters. You have the ability to explore to discover resources as well as important locations. The interface appears to be bare. However, if you give it some time the game is sure to grow on you. After about half an hour we were thoroughly engrossed in the game. We got very attached to our characters eventually- which are represented all through text. The game features great storytelling and we highly recommend you play it. If you like it, then you should try out Ensign, which is the prequel.

Available on the Web and iOS (Free)2. Lifeline

Taylor is a science intern and possibly the sole survivor stranded on a lifeless moon following a spaceship crash. You spot his call for help and it is your job to guide him out to safety. The decisions you make will determine whether Taylor survives or dies alone in a strange land. All of this takes place via text. At every point in Lifeline, all you need to do is choose between one of the two dialogues. Quite often the choices are clear cut. However, you never know for sure which of them might doom Taylor. Lifeline is great if you love a suspenseful science fiction story.

Available on Android and iOS

3. Out There

This game is as much about managing limited resources and exploration as it a comic book style, text-based adventure. It isn’t only plain text, but we feel it’s close enough, and it’s a fantastic game so we added it here. At times you will be interacting with aliens who speak only their language. So you will need to make decisions without understanding anything they are saying. You will also have random encounters- locate mysterious objects, abandoned spaceships- and need to make decisions without knowing really which path is the safe one to take. This provides for many scenarios that are very intriguing and forms the basis of a science fiction adventure game that is truly epic.

Available on Android, iOS and Steam

4. Blackbar

This game uses text for critiquing censorship. There are several puzzles that are quite challenging that will uncover parts of the story that are censored. This is required in order for the game to progress. You need to fill in the censored area, or black bars, by using the clues that are in the story. The gameplay experience is very unique and the puzzles are quite challenging.

Available on Android and iOS5.PixWords

This is a very intriguing word puzzle challenge that is available in 22 different languages. Each word is its own crossword puzzle that is hidden inside a picture. Your job is to solve all of the words. Can you do it? Once you get one word solves, another letter opens up until the entire puzzle is gradually unraveled.If you have difficulties with a particular image, there are a lot of sites that will help you cheat. You can find pixwords help in greek, english, french, romanian etc

– Great way to expand your vocabulary
– Hundreds of pictures and words
– Over 800 levels
– Simple rules
– Free game

Avaialable on Android, iOS

6. To Be Or Not To Be by Ryan North

This game is a light-heart take on Hamlet by Shakespeare. You are given the opportunity to play different characters and make decisions on what takes place in the story. You can play Hamlet and avenge the death or your father or you can play Ophelia. The artwork on the game will provide you with plenty of laughter.